When Clancy Tomlinson was in high school, she told her friends that one day she would move to Tasmania.
This was quite a daring claim for someone living on a farm about an hour out of Albury in NSW.
Now 19, Clancy is living her dream, residing at Jane Franklin Hall in Hobart and studying a double degree in agricultural science and arts at the University of Tasmania.
“People were really shocked when I said I was moving to Tassie,” Clancy says.
“I went to a local high school, so a small-town vibe. I wanted to get out and see a bit more of the world.
“Making the move to Tassie was a big jump and really scary, but Jane Franklin Hall was very welcoming and stable.”
Clancy says she has found it easy to connect with other students.
“I’ve made so many good friends. At Jane you do get to know people on a deeper level. I feel like I’ve made friends for life.
“I’ve connected with some other people who moved from Sydney. A lot of us made the choice to move to Tassie to be immersed in nature and we bonded over that like-mindedness.
“At Jane, it’s not the big things, but the small actions — like eating dinner together, having someone to go for a walk with once you're done studying, bonding over similar music, or watching movies together."
Jane Franklin Hall is Hobart’s only full-catered student accommodation, offering three meals a day.
“I enjoy the convenience of Jane. The meals are convenient, plus the bus is convenient too,” Clancy says.
“I also really value the Academic Mentors and the Senior Residents and having those support systems.”
Clancy considered other universities on the mainland, but being able to combine her passion for literature through arts with agriculture science felt like the best fit.
“I have always been set on ag science, then in high school I got into writing, history and literature and wanted to explore that further,” she says.
“I saw the double degree and thought that it sounded like it was made for me, and so far I am really enjoying it.”
First year agricultural science sees students studying a broad range of subjects and Clancy says she has been drawn to plant science and horticulture.
“Tassie is so diverse. We’ve done lots of field trips to see different industries including dairy, vineyards and orchards.
“The lecturers and people we have met in industry are so passionate and it feels like Tassie is really immersed in agriculture.”
And what is Clancy’s advice for others?
“Trust your gut and give it a try. It is about taking the next step. It’s not about making the right decision, but about making a decision.”
Thinking about taking the next step? Secure you place at Jane in 2025.